[Reily]

I don’t agree with your view on the 6-year term. It worked fine prior to the 17th Amendment. If you make the tie stronger to the state - subject to state recall - preferably by the state legislature. Then again, the 6-year term is not a problem.

The Senate is supposed to think in broader terms, not be subject to the sudden chaotic whims of political fashion. It’s to be the saucer where the passions cool. I do agree with political contributions idea. Policing it so it would be truly from in the state or district would be a problem. I also would like to see the states & congressional districts responsible for the care, upkeep & staff support (must bring direct reporting staff from district or state!) for their senators and representatives. Push the permanent congressional staff further down the decision-making food chain. When the congresscritter changes they likely will change.

[Dr. Franklin]

Then again, the 6-year term is not a problem. The Senate is supposed to think in broader terms, not be subject to the sudden chaotic whims of political fashion. It’s to be the saucer where the passions cool.

The events of Jan. 6, 2021 demonstrate, 1) that the Senate did not think in broader terms other than removing Trump from office for their own selfish reasons. (It was not dissimilar to the Roman Senate knifing Julius Caesar in some ways.) and 2) the six year term for senators is a problem because they thought they could get away with a rigged election right after an election, and with 1/3 of them, at the start of their term in office. The six year term of office is very much a problem because is greatly limits accountability to the electorate. When our modern problems demonstrate something must be changed, then it must be changed.

I do agree with political contributions idea. Policing it so it would be truly from in the state or district would be a problem.

The fact that the usual sleazy politicians will attempt to avoid the limitation does not justify not creating it...

I also would like to see the states & congressional districts responsible for the care, upkeep & staff support (must bring direct reporting staff from district or state!) for their senators and representatives. Push the permanent congressional staff further down the decision-making food chain. When the congresscritter changes they likely will change.

The issue is more about taxation. Since the feds grab the most revenue, they have greater power than originally planned. I would prefer to limit the time Congress can sit, like many state do with their legislatures, and limit the time they can spend in D.C. or on tax payer paid junkets abroad. Make them come home and face their constituents. Require that their kids attend local schools, etc. to reduce the cliquish elitism.